jessebeckham

Tippmann sells some threads on their site, the prices seem pretty reasonable. Check out Weaver too they have quite a variety to choose from.

great looking rig! I am about to take on my first holster rig with bullet loops! I hope mine turns out half as good as yours.

did you come up with anything for a patter? Started the bag yet? Progress?

i really like the raised image. I like the color too, very rich! Only thing I would suggest would be to finish the edges along the zipper. All other edges and joints look good!

very nice work!

Great attention to detail! I really like the little key slip! Its the small things in life!

hey, it looks better than a lot of my first projects! Keep up the work and you will be amazed at the transformation in your craft!

Benlilly- yes it used a ton of leather! I understand now why some many bags out ther are multiple pieces sewn together. This bag has 8 pieces: 2xend caps, large body piece, 2x strap supports, 2x handles and lining material inside. The large body pieces made for awkward sewing.

Thanks all. I appreciate the complements. Hopefully I won't have to use the spots again anytime soon.

ive never used the cast alum strap cutter, only the wooden one. I have been told, and as far as i can see in design, that since the leather is set between two pieces of wood, lets call the adjustable vise? That they are much easier to use and guide than the metal ones.

i have a hard enough time making belts, guitar straps, and dog collars... this is not my style of interest, but it is certainly incredible work!

i too could use some quality clips. looks good btw!

Made this one for a guy at work... FOrgot to take pictures before I gave it to him so this is the only one i got... didnt want to ask for a frontal picture lol! It is hand stitched with a leather lined back. This was the first time Ive used the spots... they were a pain in the ass!

Whelp it only took me three months of work, bt I finally finished it. the bag is almost entirely hand stitched with the exception of two machine rows on each side of zipper, a machine, and the handles. Overall i feel pretty good about it, It was my first attempt at any sort of bag, and didn't use any patterns... I used heavy 10/11oz leather for the main body and a couple old belt straps for around the body support. the handles are 4/5oz folded and sewn. I lined the inside with a material I found at hobby lobby with a sheridan like pattern on it. I would like to note both end caps are carved with sheridan style (also my first attempts at carving sheridan.) The only problem is I made the handles too long, and on one end/corner the leather is very soft and wrinkly so it isnt as rigid as Id like. I look forward to many years of use. Happy coincidence... I measured it the other night after checking the carry-on regulations for an upcoming flight and it is near exact specs for carry on.... happy accident!

looks good. definitely unique. how did you set the stones?

My 2 cents.... I agree on the Facebook advertising. That is really the only way I have gotten my name out there. NOw, I am not bigtime by any means, I'm happy to get 4-5 orders a month. But it really is the best way to get beyond you friends and family... The giveaways are a great thing I think. I have been seeing a ton of this going on on facebook. I have participated in quite a few, and in turn there are a lot of pages I am a fan of/Like now. And yes it works as far as getting "likes" but you will definitely get a lot of people who you'll never see any activity from. If you are going to try and build a customer base and community presence, I highly suggest going through your settings to "use facebook as" and click your page. Then search local shops and restaurants, businesses, community pages, radio stations and similar pages and Like them too. Begin watching their post and like and share them. It promotes you as a community member as well as a " pay it forward " attitude.... If you're lucky, they will begin to follow you and share you information as well.

Probably redundant and repeated from the above posts, but my 2 cents.... I would suggest the sales tax license. Its better to have on and not need it than need it and not have it. I got an ass chewing from my CPA when I went to pick up my refund this year. I happened to sell his son something that he gave to him as a gift. oops.... if it is set up at all like Texas (i don't know how it could be much different) It is really a huge benefit to you in the long run. Its free to set up and only takes my 10 minutes, if that long, every quarter to file online. Records are by far the most important thing in my opinion. Maybe the most difficult, depending on your Excel experience. The big perks are definitely wholesale and tax free purchasing ( i think at Tandy you don't have to pay the membership fee if you have a sales tax license, but I could be wrong there.). ANd don't forget the before mentioned write offs at the end of the year. I temporarily live in Lubbock, my lady and family is in Wichita Falls and Nocona TX (3-4 hour trip) lucky for me a lot of my orders are from there so... guess who is writing off his weekend trips home (when I have orders to deliver of course)! The perks can really help in the long run, just keep receipts and good records and you should be fine.

I agree with bob, I started with an exacto knife for small items, then a box cutter before I ever got a round knife... I still use the box cutter from time to time, but the round knife to me gives a lot more control. I can cut straighter with on too. Get one and you'll never look back. All my opinion though.

very nice! Did you make the buckles and conchos?